LGBT Celebration at ASAE boosts over $8,500 for IGLTA Basis

SALT LAKE CITY (19 August, 2016)—The 13th annual LGBT Party hosted by the Meet Minneapolis, Convention & Visitors Association and the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association for the LGBT professionals attending the America Society of Association Executives conference raised more than $8,500 for the nonprofit IGLTA Foundation.

The 15 August reception during ASAE drew about 250 people to the Metro Bar in downtown Salt Lake City for an evening of cocktails and networking. Attendees were encouraged to make a donation to the IGLTA Foundation with their RSVP. In addition, Meet Minneapolis, Delta Air Lines, and Visit Salt Lake presented the IGLTA staff with a $3,500 donation at the event. A silent auction for a weeklong Ponant luxury cruise raised an additional $3,000.

“For the 13th year running, Minneapolis was proud to support IGLTA by sponsoring the LGBT Party,” said Melvin Tennant, President & CEO, Meet Minneapolis. “Investing in people is the best way to ensure the travel and tourism industries have bright futures, and the funds that were raised will go a long way toward developing leaders to keep our industries innovating and moving forward.”

Donations to the IGLTA Foundation help to fund programs that develop future leaders in LGBT tourism; assist LGBT-run small businesses in destinations that lack governmental support or that face cultural challenges with sexual orientation and gender identity; and conduct global research to further understanding of LGBT travel.

“With the generous support of our tourism partners, we are able to contribute to the growth and awareness of LGBT travel around the world,” said Gary Murakami, CMP, CMM, chair of the IGLTA Foundation. “We look forward to collaborating with Meet Minneapolis on this event for years to come and to continue to build upon the positive impact and awareness.”

A Minneapolis getaway package valued at more than $3,000 was given away at the reception as well, which included two round-trip Delta tickets, a two-night stay in a Hyatt Regency suite, restaurant certificates from Hell’s Kitchen and Parasole Restaurant Holdings, Inc., and a shopping gift certificate and attraction passes from Mall of America. For more information on the destination, visit minneapolis.org.